The demand for Traffic Engineers is expected to grow in Canada and the US in more densely populated areas, such as California, Texas, and Ontario, which involve lots of travel by road.
Career Profile Overview:
Traffic engineers design transportation systems on the ground and evaluate the flow or capacity of traffic on a road. They also identify signage needs on the road, working collaboratively on construction projects to reduce the effect of traffic on existing roads. They use physical tools and digital simulations to study traffic and find ways to fix problems like jams and crashes.
Evaluating and providing feedback on transportation infrastructure designs to ensure they meet required safety and engineering standards.
Transportation Studies and Planning:
Contributing to and reviewing various transportation studies, including traffic, transit, and environmental assessments, to inform project development.
Traffic Management and Construction Coordination:
Overseeing traffic management plans during construction, coordinating road closures, and ensuring safe pedestrian and vehicle movement.
Traffic Signal and System Optimization:
Reviewing and modifying traffic signal timing and coordinating the installation of new traffic signals and related systems.
Public Communication and Problem Solving:
Addressing public inquiries and complaints, developing innovative solutions to transportation challenges, and representing the division in public forums.
Educational Path:
High School: Courses in physics, math, and mechanical skills are beneficial.
Postsecondary: Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related field.
Advanced Degrees: Master’s or Doctorate degrees in a related engineering discipline may be required for specialized roles.
Certifications:
Professional Engineer (PE) License
In Canada, a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification may be required.
Entry-Level:
Traffic Engineering Intern/Assistant Traffic Engineer: Collecting traffic data (e.g., traffic counts), assisting with traffic signal timing studies, and preparing basic traffic engineering drawings using CAD software.
Transportation Engineering Technician: Responsible for maintaining traffic signal equipment or assisting in the implementation of traffic control plans.
Junior Traffic Engineer: Work under the supervision of senior engineers and begin to do design work and data analysis before an engineering certification.
Mid-Level
Traffic Engineer: Lead traffic impact studies, develop traffic management plans for construction zones, and design traffic signal systems.
Project Traffic Engineer: Managing traffic engineering projects, including budgeting, scheduling, and coordinating with other team members.
Traffic Signal Engineer: Focus on the design and implementation of traffic signal systems and the optimization of traffic flow through signal timing.
Senior-Level
Senior Traffic Engineer/Traffic Engineering Manager: Leading teams of engineers, overseeing complex traffic engineering projects, and providing technical expertise.
Principal Traffic Engineer: Strategic direction for traffic engineering projects and initiatives.
Director of Transportation/Traffic Engineering: Responsible for the entire traffic engineering division of a company, or governmental entity.
Regulatory Compliance: Knowledge of local, state, and national traffic standards.
Design Principles: Understanding of human factors design practices.
Statistics & Finance: Strong mathematical skills in probability and statistical analysis and financial and risk analysis.
Technical Communication: Strong written communication skills to prepare engineering reports, design proposals and management briefings.
United States:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Massachusetts)
